Bauer Communications

In an era when most athletes would not express an opinion of the greater world around them under threat of torture, Lloy Ball is refreshing. Over the 20 years I have covered his achievements, I’ve never had an interview with him where I had to pull quotes out of him whether it was in person, on the phone or by email half a world away. Lloy has never been shy about telling what he’s thinking, and maybe more importantly for my work, what he is feeling after exhilarating wins and crushing losses. As a sportswriter who loves to write the conflict, passion and emotion of the people playing the games, he’s a rare athlete to work with.